MEMORIAL
OF
J.
H. PULTE,
PROPOSING
A
plan for extending the magnetic telegraph around the globe.
March
15, 1850.
Referred
to the Committee on Commerce.
April 23, 1850,
Discharged,
ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.
To the Senate of the United States:
Your
memorialist would respectfully represent: Not twenty years have
yet elapsed since the discovery was first made of using electricity
for telegraphic purposes; and it is not ten years since it was first
practically tested in the United States, by Professor Morse between
Washington and Baltimore; and already we see this immense country,
from north to south, spun over by the wires of the electric telegraph,
everywhere diffusing its innumerable blessings. Its general usefulness
and practicability have been thoroughly tested, and the importance
of its services is felt immediately when an accident only for twenty-four
hours has interrupted its workings. So deeply has this wonderful
telegraphic system penetrated into the very organism of our nation,
that we henceforth cannot live or move without it. More than ever
do we feel ourselves as one united people, its one body, whose soul
is everywhere present at the same time, in will and sentiment, although
spread over so vast a space.
In
contemplating these wondrous results, by such small and comparatively
insignificant means, the American citizen feels a just pride to
know that to the genius of his own country is due the perfection
of the mode of telegraphing; that his Congress generously offered
the first aid in testing its practicability at a time when scoffers
and incredulous persons were not wanting to throw ridicule and sarcasm
in the way of its progress. But thanks to the American character,
which is not so easily deterred from great enterprises by sneers
and ridicule! Time - memorable experience - has shown him too well
the greatness of his own destiny, and, consequently, the importance
of those arts which, invented for his own country, have had, nevertheless,
a bearing upon all the civilized nations of the earth. The sneers
and ridicule of monarchical Europe could not prevent the early fathers
of this glorious Union from testing the practicability of self government;
and, behold! monarchies vanish daily away, and those which remain
try to hide their intentions behind constitutional cloaks. Instead
of ridicule on account of his political institutions, the American
now meets everywhere admiration. A nation to whom such an exalted
station was given, and which has so far proved to be true to its
course of greatness in every respect, is not likely now to shrink
from fulfilling those destinies which are commencing to show themselves
in all their future splendor and importance.
There
is no reason to doubt that, large as this country is, the day will
not be far distant when the telegraph system will be in successful
operation as far as California and Oregon - when one touch of the
finger will send the greetings of the Atlantic, in a moment, to
the Pacific. Then this nation will have performed a noble task!
But a still nobler one awaits it; and, although the time of its
completion may not yet have arrived, it is well enough to lay the
foundation immediately. This great work, yet to be accomplished,
is the union of civilized Europe with our own country by the electric
telegraph. To this grand undertaking many minds in the United States
have of late simultaneously turned their attention - some in a mood
of fancy and sport, others with earnest and decided intentions to
bring about its accomplishment. Your memorialist likewise made,
several years ago, such preparations as were within reach of a private
individual, and undertook personally, during the summer of 1848,
to bring this subject to the knowledge of influential persons in
England and on the continent of Europe, in order to create at least
sympathies for this great work. Though the disturbed political state
of Europe prevented for a time any practical results, my plan met
with the approbation of persons who have long been and are yet held
in the highest respect in both hemispheres, and who will give their
powerful aid for its completion when they are called upon to do
so.
To
reach London telegraphically by way of the Atlantic, is clearly
impossible. It is unnecessary to enumerate here all the impediments
in the way of accomplishing it.
The
only course left to us is by way of Oregon, Behring's straits, Moscow,
and Petersburgh; and I will try to show, in the following, the possibility
and practical workings of this route.
I
do not deny that there are great difficulties to be overcome - some
of them seemingly insurmountable. But, if we consider again the
object to be reached, the benefits to be gained for individuals,
nations, and mankind in general - particularly, however, for physical
science - we must try to surmount any obstacle in our way, calling
all our energy and judicious management to our help.
This
grand enterprise derives, moreover, a peculiar importance from the
geographical position of the United States and Russia, the two nations
most interested in its completion and successful operation, in as
far as this telegraph is to run almost exclusively through their
territories, which girdle three-fourths of the northern hemisphere.
Russia and the United States, antagonistic as they may be in internal
politics, are, more than any two contiguous nations, remote from
altercations and international difficulties, neither being afraid
of the other's growth and prosperity. This undoubted fact outweigh
hundreds of difficulties which may impede the construction of this
telegraph, as thereby its permanency for the future is safer, and
more beyond the reach of mere political events, than a telegraph
line from Vienna to Perth, or from Paris to Rome. If once constructed,
it never would have to fear any other interruptions than those from
physical causes, which can be more easily controlled than those
occasioned by political events. The small interest which England
has in the north Pacific, on account of its possessions in Oregon,
is not sufficient to disturb at any future time the workings of
the telegraph through that Territory, as the representation of the
United States and Russia in that quarter of the globe is too powerful
to be resisted.
Moreover,
it ought, above all, to be the duty of the statesmen who will have
to create this telegraph diplomatically to save it from destruction
in time of war, by declaring it sacred before the political tribunals
of the world.
Suppose
this telegraph should commence at Little Rock, in Arkansas, or at
Independence, in Missouri, (the distances from either place to Santa
Fe varying not much:)
Then
we have from Little Rock to Santa Fe |
800 |
miles. |
From
Santa Fe to San Francisco |
1,000 |
" |
From
San Francisco to Astoria |
1,000 |
" |
Total |
2,800 |
" |
Or
3,000 miles of telegraph, which we would have to erect within our
own territory. This would be a short distance in comparison with
that in the Russian and English territories, as the following numbers
will show:
From
Vancouver's island, on the Columbia river, to
Behring's straits, over Sitka, Prince William's
sound,
across to Norton's sound, and thence to the cape
of Prince of Wales |
2,000
|
miles. |
From
Behring's straits to Ochotsk, on the like-named sea |
1,800
|
" |
From
thence to Yakutsk, in the land of the Yakuti |
800
|
" |
From
thence to Irkoutsk, on the Chinese frontier |
1,200
|
" |
From
thence to Tobolsk, in the heart of Siberia |
1,800
|
" |
From
thence to Moscow |
2,500
|
" |
From
thence to St. Petersburgh |
500
|
" |
Total |
10,600
|
" |
More
than three times as much as we would have to construct. In addition
to the above 10,600 miles, Russia would have 400 miles of telegraph
to erect from St. Petersburgh to the Prussian frontier, swelling
its own line to 11,000 miles, while our line would hardly come-to
6,000 miles, even if we counted from the Atlantic to Independence,
in Missouri, 3,000 miles, as already completed.
Prussia
has the telegraph complete through the whole breadth of its territory
to the extent of 900 miles, and there is very little wanting to
make its connexion with Paris complete, which would be 300 miles
in addition. Prom Paris to London would he between 200 and 300 miles.
The whole length of the telegraph around the world would be, therefore,
about 18,500 miles - a route which, as it sweeps around the globe,
visits all those countries where the dearest interests of mankind
and their civilization are stored up, bringing them all in immediate
contact, extending itself from Atlantic to Atlantic, as the great
river of thought, into which may flow from all sides the smaller
streams of all the nations of the earth. From Irkoutsk, on the Chinese
frontier, a branch line may dive into Chinese Tartary, to connect
Pekin, Nankin, Canton, and Calcutta, opening the Celestial Empire
more and more, and bringing the affairs of the East India empire,
within an hour's time, under the eyes of the home government. From
Moscow a branch line might run to Odessa, on the Black sea, and
from thence to Constantinople and Athens, facilitating the trade
and advancing the interests of civilization in the Orient and its
dependencies. We leave now to every one to complete this list of
branches to the principal line, as he very easily can do by looking
at a map, where he will be obliged to draw yet innumerable branch
lines, if he has any faith at all in the progress of civilization.
It is, however, all-important to consider well that this route across
Behring's straits will be the main channel of all the telegraphic
systems of the world, as our country will be the main thoroughfare
between China and Eastern Asia and Europe, as soon as the proposed
facilities for transportation across the isthmus of Panama, or a
great central railroad to the Pacific, are completed.
Our
own interests as a nation are deeply interwoven with this enterprise,
and not the less so since California has risen to such an importance
in our financial affairs. As a nation, we cannot engage in a greater
and nobler work. There is no monument existing of a nation's greatness
which can be at all compared with a telegraph of 20,000 miles in
length. Such a work is more worthy to call into action the energy
of a whole nation than all the schemes of conquest which way be
laid before her, ever so enticing. Let us choose the nobler pursuit,
which civilizes and purifies. The time to make a commencement has
now come. The nations of Europe, more now than ever, have seen the
folly of gaining laurels in fruitless efforts of lording one over
the other; and they will, perhaps, more than ever, be willing to
co-operate with us in this grand undertaking, heralding the flashes
of lightning from our shores to their distant homes as so many friends
of liberty and peace.
In
constructing this telegraph, we would not meet with so many difficulties
within the American territory as when its course enters upon Russian
soil. From western Missouri to San Francisco, over the prairies
and through the mountain passes, the construction of the line is
possible beyond a doubt, as the greatest impediment in these regions
only would be the scarcity of timber - a difficulty which capital
and perseverance could overcome. From San Francisco to Oregon and
the British possessions, the country presents greater facilities
to construct the line, for the reason of having the material near,
and the road easy of access, as it will have to run along the coast
of the Pacific. Vancouver's island, as a central depot for the steamers
engaged in this work, has plenty of coal to provide these and the
different stations with fuel. Up to this point, the climate of the
country does not yet prevent the possibility of constructing the
line, or keeping persons on the stations during the whole year.
In the British possessions, the climate is yet temperate, and the
soil productive and fertile.
But
further north the difficulties in this respect increase rapidly.
Yet even here the footsteps of man are not wanting, and civilization
has commenced to diffuse its blessings.
The
Russian possessions, facing the coast for hundreds of miles, contain
some of the most important points of the fur trade carried on by
the Russo-American company. New Archangel and Sitka are already
places of considerable importance; and further north the company
have a great many posts or stations, where their servants stay during
the whole year, without being driven away by the severity of climate
or unproductiveness of soil. Our age has, indeed, the means to make
the most inhospitable corner of the globe comfortable as regards
living and enduring, if important objects shall be gained.
Sir
George Simpson, who visited these northern settlements in 1842,
speaks of them as follows: "On the 4th of May the Ochotsk sailed
for Oonalaska and some other neighboring stations. She had the good
bishop as a passenger for her first-mentioned destination, whence
the Bichal was to convey him to Kamtschatka. She was also carrying
Lieutenant Fagoiskin to Norton's sound, who was thence to explore
the interior as far as Bristol bay on the one side, and on the other
to examine the Quahpark - a large river falling into Behring's straits.
The object of this expedition was to occupy the country by posts,
in order to protect the trade from the Schuktchi of Siberia, (by
no means a savage tribe,) who cross the straits every summer to
traffic with the American Indians, carrying their furs, ivory, &c.,
to the fair of Ostroonoze, situated on the Lesser Aning, on the
Asiatic side of the straits. At some points Behring's straits are
only 45 miles in width, with a chain of islands, like so many steppingstones,
extending from shore to shore-the longest traverse not being more
than seven miles; so that the navigation is practicable even for
small canoes. In the general appearance of the two coasts there
is a marked difference - the western (or Asiatic) side being low,
flat, and sterile, while the eastern (or American) is well wooded,
and in every respect better adapted than the other for the sustenance
both of man and beast. Moreover, the soil and climate improve rapidly
on the American shore as one descends; and, at Cook's inlet, potatoes
may be raised with ease, though they hardly ripen in any part of
Kamtschatka, which extends nearly ten degrees further to the south.
As, in addition to the advantages of cultivation, deer, fish, game,
and hay are abundant, the company contemplates the forming of a
settlement here for the reception of its old servants. In the neighborhood,
on an island near Kodiak, there is plenty of good coal, used
both for the hearth and for the forge, though it is objectionable
for the latter purpose, as producing too great a quantity of ashes."
In
the following pages, Mr. Simpson describes the aborigines of this
part of the American coast as being on the friendliest terms with
the Russo-American Company. He says, further: "The Kaluscians
are a numerous tribe, their language being spoken all the way to
the northward from Stikine as far as Admiralty bay, rear Mount St.
Elias; thence to Prince William's sound is another language; and
four or five more languages divide between them the coast up to
Icy cape, north of Behring's straits."
He
remarks further, speaking about the Russian stations, "New
Archangel, notwithstanding its isolated position, is a very gay
place."
Speaking
about the Aleutian Archipelagoes, he says, page 99: "The soil
and climate of some of the more easterly islands of the Aleutian
Archipelagoes are sufficiently good for the production of potatoes
and the maintenance of domestic cattle, while at Kodiak there are
also gardens for vegetables. On this last-mentioned island, which
possesses a tolerable surface of pulverized lava and vegetable mould,
there exists a village of about four hundred inhabitants, the oldest
settlement to the north of California. The Russians are certainly
entitled to the credit of having been the first to plant civilization
on the northwest coast."
From
the above statements of a traveller, who describes these northern
regions from personal observation, we can gather at least thus much:
that the rigor of climate and sterile condition of the country are
not such as to drive human beings entirely from its shores. Not
only do numerous tribes of Indians inhabit the country up to Behring's
straits, and even further north, up to Icy cape, but a trade in
furs and ivory is carried on between the Schuktchi on the Asiatic,
and the Indians on the American side of Behring's straits, and a
fair is held in the same degree of latitude on the Asiatic side.
All these are unquestionable signs that people can live, and, to
their notions, comfortably, in these regions. It is to be presumed
that their conditions of life would rather improve than otherwise,
and with it the hospitable character of the country in general,
if an establishment like the telegraph would sweep through these
wildernesses, accompanied with all the necessities of civilized
life, bringing along the artisan and missionary.
The
account of Mr. Simpson speaks of the American side of Behring's
straits as being well wooded - a sign that vegetation is
not altogether at an end there - lessening the cost of erecting
the posts and stations considerably; besides, there is plenty of
coal near the island of Kodiak, from which point all the stations
north of it, on the straits itself and in the interior, on the Asiatic
side, would be supplied with coal, as far down as Ochotsk itself,
where Siberia proper commences, with a civilization and climate
sufficient to overcome all further difficulties in the erection
of the telegraph through to Europe comparatively easily. In crossing
Behring's straits, the wires would have to be sunk to the bottom
of the ocean, which is here very shallow, thirty fathoms being the
greatest depth; and as the greatest distance from island to island
is only seven miles, the sinking of the wires would be easily
accomplished, in comparison with the intended sinking of wires between
Dover and Calais, where the straits are twenty-one miles wide and
the ocean deeper. Another important consideration has been, to find
out the probable cost of this stupendous undertaking, in order to
show its capability for rewarding, in rich revenues, the financial
outlay.
The
telegraphs of this country have been constructed, generally, at
an expense of one hundred and fifty dollars per mile, and fifty
dollars for every additional wire stretched. Now, allowing four
times that amount per mile, (as the expense of erecting the telegraph
on the prairies will be greater,) the cost for the three thousand
miles to Oregon would be, for a telegraph with two wires, two and
a half millions of dollars, including one hundred thousand dollars
for the necessary instruments. If, every forty miles, stations are
erected, their number would amount to seventy-five - the erection
of which would not cost more than one million of dollars. The total
outlay of capital for the three thousand miles of telegraph would,
therefore, not exceed three and a half millions of dollars. The
yearly expenditures would be as follows:
Interest, at
six per cent., on three and a half millions |
$210,000 |
Support and
salary of six hundred persons at the seventy-five stations, at one thousand dollars each per year |
600,000 |
Wear and tear
of instruments, &c. |
100,000 |
|
$910,000 |
Probable
income of this line, per year, $1,000,000; leaving a surplus in
its favor of $90,000 per year.
If
this telegraph is once constructed, under such favorable financial
prospects, it is not probable that the above figures would change
unfavorably during a ten-years duration; at least, the established
lines have shown a decided increase of income over that of former
years, even in towns where rival lines existed. And, as California
and Oregon rise in importance as regards population and business,
the telegraph will increase in revenue in the same ratio.
The
above view of the finances of the telegraph is taken without any
regard to its final extension to Asia and Europe, or branches to
Mexico and South America, which would swell its income still higher.
These calculations place the telegraph around the world in the rank
of sound speculation, and leave no doubt of its ultimate completion.
As
works, however, of such magnitude require time and well-matured
plans, and, as in this case, diplomatic arrangements with various
nations have to be entered upon, the prayer of your memorialist
limits itself to the following:
1st.
To a resolution in favor of the above project.
2d.
To the adopting of means for carrying out the preliminaries for
its final successful completion - such as exploring the routes,
as far as Behring's straits, in relation to this object, and then,
in the same time, conferring diplomatically with the several governments
whose territories the proposed telegraph would have to traverse,
for the purpose of uniting their several efforts in carrying it
successfully around the globe.
All of which is respectfully
submitted.
J.H.
PULTE.
CINCINNATI,
December 1, 1849. |